Giroud’s first goal in weeks sealed the Gunners second successive away win and the seventh win of the season. In a fixture that was scarce of chances, the Magpies were the first team to show real threat late into the first half when Szczesny was called into action and denied Moussa Sissoko a goal.
Arsenal had a tough first half due to a solid Newcastle back line. Many are the times when the Gunners were forced to try long-range shots with Santi Carzola, Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere having their shots comfortably stopped by Tim Krul. The same cannot be said for Szczesny who was kept busy by Magpie defender Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko.
Defenders Fabricio Coliccini and Williamson ensured that Olivier Giroud was kept at bay during the first half. Giroud gave fantasy football managers a hard time when he picked up a yellow card before firing his 11th goal of the season in the 65th minute. Giroud headed the ball home from a Theo Walcott free kick after he lost his marker ending his one month goal drought. Newcastle failed to mount a significant response as Arsenal had what seemed as an easy last quarter although Loic Remy would have taken advantage of a Szczesny miss calculated clearance but the balled rolled wide off the goal. In what seemed like the last kicks of a dying horse, Newcastle sent Tim Krul forward in a bid to force a late equalizer but Ben Arfa wasted what seemed as a real chance.
It was the first time this season that Arsenal have played without both Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey who are both nursing injuries. Arsenal lost Mesut Ozil to a shoulder injury but he is expected to be back in “two-three” games. Arsenal also go into the new year without Captain Thomas Vermaelen and Nacho Monreal who are both ill.